Wigan Warriors boss provides Bevan French injury latest as Ethan Havard comes back into contention
As things stand, Wigan Warriors are not expecting to have key man Bevan French back in time for the Challenge Cup final.
The Australian halfback has not played since suffering a torn hamstring injury in Wigan’s win over Toulouse Olympique in the south of France on March 6.
Following scans in the days after Wigan’s return to England, French was ruled out for around 16 weeks, which would take him to around the first week of July.
And with the Warriors facing Hull KR in the Challenge Cup final on Saturday, May 30, coach Matt Peet says the Warriors do not envisage him playing at Wembley as things currently stand.
"Bevan, there’s no particular news there,” Peet said in his pre-match press conference ahead of Friday’s Super League clash with Leeds Rhinos at the Brick Community Stadium.
"He’s had a re-scan this week, so we’re just awaiting the results of that. We’ve not got those yet.
"I remember at the time, the question was ‘is the Challenge Cup Final an option?’ and it wasn’t. It’s a few weeks after that, so in my mind, we’re still looking at that period.”
Meanwhile, winger Liam Marshall had surgery on his hamstring injury last weekend. The 30-year-old was ruled out for around three months at the time of his injury in Wigan’s defeat to Warrington on April 24, so he will be back near the end of July.
"Liam was back in today,” said Peet. “This was his first day back after the operation. That went as well as it could, and he starts his rehabilitation now and applies himself there.”
On a brighter note, the Warriors will be able to welcome prop Ethan Havard back for Friday’s visit of Leeds, with the England prop having served his one-match suspension in Saturday’s Challenge Cup semi-final win over St Helens.
"We’re good, we’re healthy,” Peet added. “Ethan comes back into contention, so no more news than that."
Despite Wembley only being three weeks away, Peet says his side's line-up will be strong against the Rhinos this weekend.
“I think the fact is we’ve dropped a few games in the league,” he said. “There’ll be big decisions to make moving forward, but as far as this week goes, it’s not entered my head to be honest.”